Assessment of Novel Sound Changing Principles in Hearing Instruments to Determine Their Application - 2018_16

Assessment of Novel Sound Changing Principles in Hearing Instruments to Determine Their Application

An EEG study using continuous speech stimuli to assess neural language processing in a hearing impaired population. Participants listen to short radio excerpts in different Signal to Noise Ratios (SNR) and answer comprehension questions as well as listening effort questions. We assess the effect of different algorithms on neural language processing as well as subjective listening effort. Each participant hears 12 randomized segments of speech (about 4min long each) with different settings on their hearing aid (reference condition, noise reduction algorithm, beam forming algorithm). This will be a controlled, single blinded and randomized active comparator clinical evaluation which will be conducted mono centric at Sonova AG Headquarter based in Stäfa.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy outer ear (without previous surgical procedures)
• Ability to fill in a questionnaire conscientiously
• Informed Consent as documented by signature

Exclusion Criteria:

• Contraindications to the MD in this study, e.g. known hypersensitivity or allergy to the investigational product
• Limited mobility and not in the position to attend weekly appointments
• Limited ability to describe listening impressions/experiences and the use of the hearing aid
• Inability to produce a reliable hearing test result
• Massively limited dexterity
• Known psychological problems
• Known central hearing disorders